NHL talks headed to federal mediation

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League and the NHL
Players' Association have agreed to the inclusion of federal mediation in
ongoing negotiations towards a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"I have had separate, informal discussions with the key representatives of the
National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association
during the course of their negotiations for a successor collective bargaining
agreement," said federal mediation and conciliation service director George H.
Cohen in a statement on Monday.

"At the invitation of the FMCS, and with the agreement of both parties, the
ongoing negotiations will now be conducted under our auspices. I have assigned
Deputy Director Scot L. Beckenbaugh, Director of Mediation Services John
Sweeney, and Commissioner Guy Serota to serve as the mediators.

"Due to the extreme sensitivity of these negotiations and consistent with the
FMCS's longstanding practice, the Agency will refrain from any public comment
concerning the future schedule and/or the status of the negotiations until
further notice."

Mediation by a third party was also done during the 2004-05 lockout. The hope
is an objective party will help get the negotiating process on track.

The current work stoppage, which began on Sept. 16, has already caused the
cancellation of 422 regular-season games as well as the Winter Classic and
All-Star Weekend.